Developing an Eye of Support

As my heart broke for the people trying to navigate through the storms of the last two weeks, I found hope. We, the image bearers of our God, broke out of the rhythms of our lives to love each other.

As I saw the images streaming the television and internet, the sacrifice involved in support was evident. Helping one another can fall on a spectrum. Sometimes, simply offering a few moments of time is all that’s required. Other times, it demands giving up something we value: time, money, an agenda, possessions, reputation, physical state, and even life.

How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 1 john 3:17

It comes as no surprise that our nation is fractured. Watching people respond to the burden of literally keeping people afloat demonstrated that there is an inherent recognition of our connection.

Yet, seasons of catastrophe occur everyday in the lives of those around us. Sometimes we, ourselves, are the ones drowning.

But those storms are not always visible to the observer.

In the normal daily routine of our lives, we interact briefly and many times behind a keyboard. We aren’t often aware of the daily havoc surrounding others.

Perhaps, we can pray for a discerning eye.

I have taught workshops to support and empower families with a child who has a mental/chronic illness. Of course I expect parents to come to learn but I am amazed at the “others” who attend. These are the neighbors/friends/church members who want to know what they can do to help.

Their eyes prompt their hearts.

Who do you know is struggling? What particular challenges present themselves in your community? What will you do?

*for a terrific way to open your awareness, check out “Praying A to Z” by Amelia Rhodes. It will transform they way you see and engage with people in your community.

This post was written for the Five Minute Friday Writing Community. Come join us! http://fiveminutefriday.com/

Stephanie, loved the part about community caregivers who attend the parenting classes. Wouldn’t that be wonderful if we all had to take a class every so often on various matters? I pray I learn more every day. I prayed these weather storms would help point people to Him. I appreciate your questions and will take them to prayer.

I love that there are people out there who want to reach out and help like those you saw in the workshops. Catastrophe definitely gets our attention and then our action. I think that sometimes we walk around so self focused we don’t have that keen eye we should and may miss the clues of who really needs our help now before it is a catastrophe. I pray that I will have more of that keen eye.
Great post. Have a wonderful week.